topic Re: Radiation in Coping with a loved one's cancer

Radiation

GeeGee — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 00:29:10 GMT

I am so nervous, my partner Darryn is starting radiation today and I am so nervous for him. He is feeling nervous as well. We have no idea what to expect. Wish us luck on getting through this first day of 10 treatments.

Re: Radiation

KathyS — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 22:28:21 GMT

Hi Gee Gee, I am new to this site. Have been reading your posts and what a kind courageous woman you are. I can relate to a lot of your comments. Have you been advised of post radiation care of the skin? It is so good there are options and treatments for your Daz. I am a great believer knowledge is power. With this cruel disease so much control is taken from us I think it is important to control those things we still can. You are facing this journey together, Daz is not alone and neither are you. There are people out here thinking of you. Please let us know how the visit goes. Kind Regards Kathy

Re: Radiation

GeeGee — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 23:03:53 GMT

Thanks so much for your kind words Kathy, they are much appreciated.

Re: Radiation

KathyS — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 23:13:12 GMT

Is Daz having 10 days in a row? Kathy

Re: Radiation

GeeGee — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 23:50:12 GMT

5days in a row, then the weekend off and 5 more next week.

Re: Radiation

topenddownunder — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 13:09:30 GMT

Hi Gee Gee, I had radiation, but only in a mild dose for pain management for a secondary cancer in my hip.I had it over 5 days and found the only painful part (more uncomfortable than painful) was getting the Prep done and getting the "Tattoo`s" done. As far as any burning or dryness of the skin after the Raiology, I used Dermaveen for washing and used Sorbalene to keep the skin hydrated.We had a meeting with a nurse before the procedure and most of Her suggestions were well informed.My wife and I always have taken notes as there is so much to learn on this journey.We wish you and Darryn all the best.Hope this helps. Greg & De

Re: Radiation

GeeGee — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 07:57:58 GMT

Thanks Greg and De, Daz is doing ok with his treatments, he had the 8th one today and doesn't have side affects yet. The steroids are causing him more problems with joint pain. I hope your doing ok. Thanks for your kind words.

Re: Radiation

Jodii — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 13:11:35 GMT

My hubby just started 6 weeks of radiation last week on his primary site in his sacrum. The radiation has been trouble free thus far however as his wife and carer it has bought the reality of the Cancer diagnosis home to me and I have really struggled emotionally to cope this past week. He has terminal bone cancer that has spread extensively in his lungs, with no symptoms until recently. Any advice in this regard would be very much appreciated? Thanks J

Re: Radiation

Jodii — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 13:11:45 GMT

Re: Radiation

GeeGee — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 20:47:59 GMT

Hi J. So sorry to hear your husband is having radiation, it's not a nice thing to go through. I know each part of the body is so very different however the result is much the same, fatigue is the worst of the side effects and it is lasting so long. It has been 5 weeks since finishing treatment and Daz is stil so tired and grumpy. Poor thing is beside himself. At least one good thing has come of the fatigue, he has been to tired to smoke. It has been a couple of weeks now and he is still not smoking, so at least something good has come from all this. I hope your husband comes through ok. Good luck to both of you.

Re: Radiation

Jodii — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 05:06:20 GMT

Thanks GeeGee for your reply. The fatigue hasn't hit hubby in a big way yet but I'm anticipating it will start very soon as he hasn't been sleeping well for the fortnight before he started radiation due to pain issues when he lies flat on his back. I've suggested to him that he may need an afternoon sleep each day but he has been pooh poohing the idea of needing an afternoon sleep so far! I just know from everyone else's experiences that this will be the case. Six weeks of therapy seems such a long time in the grand scheme of things but I'm sure it will be over and done with as quickly as possible and I will get 'the old hubby back' again eventually at some stage. The hardest part of this is I find that because hubby's diagnosis is terminal - I find myself wondering if it will ever get any better again - or if this is it for us and as good as it gets... its really really depressing. I have been referred to a Clinical Psych to get medication to assist me to cope better and so that I don't try and look too far ahead - as the road really does seem so very difficult.

Re: Radiation

topenddownunder — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 19:59:33 GMT

Hi Gee Gee Sorry I`ve been a bit long in replying to your posts,but I have been gearing up for my second bout of "NEW" Chemo.(The first cycle had a whole new set of side-effects that the old one didnt...but thats another story),We hope Daz is going OK.I know giving up smoking is very hard,I gave up after my wife had an anyurism 9 years ago (she forgot she smoked!!!!).but I took the easy option of tablets.We sincerely hope the Radiation treatment is going well,and pray the side effects arent too bad.I know with radiation,fatigue is one of the worst, and I am one for not wanting to lie around resting, but combated this by listening to music,reading and watching videos,but just something really to take your mind off your lifes journey, even for a while.Its been 4 months now since my Radiation, and the pain is starting to appear in my Pelvis again. I am off today to have a long Visit with my Specialist and have the secong cycle of Chemo, so I hopa to find out what will be the next step for me.We hope you are both doing well,Please feel free to drop a line if we can be of any Help Greg & De

Re: Radiation

Jodii — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 04:14:33 GMT

Hi Gee Gee - how is Daz doing this week. Is he still really exhausted and grumpy or is he showing signs of improvement, AND how are you going to ? Thinking of you. Jodii

Re: Radiation

GeeGee — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 09:04:07 GMT

Hi Jodii, Daz is doing ok, I think he is slightly improved, he is still very fatigued but not so grumpy and is feeling ok for a little while after he sleeps. I am doing ok, my own health problems are giving me a bit of a hard time but I am fine. Daz is also eatting a little better this week too, so that is good, hopefully this is the start of him feeling better again. Thanks so much for your concern, it makes this hard time in my life a little better. How are you doing?

Re: Radiation

Jodii — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 01:35:37 GMT

Hi Gee Gee I'm glad to hear that Daz is on the improve. We are doing ok now that we got over the initial 'shock to our system' that was radiotherapy. It made the cancer very real for us actually turning up at Radio appointments. Erik now has the pain under control finally and is sleeping a whole lot better which makes so much difference (when he hasnt been sleeping!) and of course I'm sleeping better because he is to. He is two weeks into the six week program today and is going really well I'm so pleased to say, but I'm not going to get ahead of myself and we will continue to take it day by day. I have some help from my daughters taking him to his radio appointments which is relieving the load for me a little and helping me to be able to go straight to work rather than detouring via the radio sessions each day - as I still work full time. Erik isn't managing to get to the office as often as he could but he is fortunate in that he can work partially from home online - so hasn't missed out on too much. I hope your health problems settle down and Daz continues on the path to improving like he is.. keep in touch. Til next time Jodii 🙂